Summary
This meta-analysis synthesises evidence from 121 field studies globally to quantify the effects of agricultural liming on crop productivity and greenhouse gas dynamics. Liming significantly increased crop yields by 36.3% whilst reducing soil N₂O emissions by 21.3% and paddy CH₄ emissions by 19.0%, though soil respiration increased and lime production added approximately 624–656 Tg CO₂ year⁻¹, offsetting climate benefits. The authors conclude that whilst the overall greenhouse gas balance is likely neutral, liming of acidic agricultural soils could increase global yields by at least 6.64 × 10⁸ Mg annually, potentially covering food supply for 876 million people.
Regional applicability
The study is global in scope, synthesising observations from diverse geographical regions. Results are likely transferable to United Kingdom contexts where acid soils are present, particularly in upland and clay-based agricultural regions; however, application will depend on regional soil pH distributions, cropping systems, and existing lime application practices. UK farmers and policy-makers should consider liming as a potential strategy for yield improvement and mitigation of soil N₂O emissions, though local soil testing and economic assessment of lime costs versus yield benefits would be essential.
Key measures
Crop yield (%), soil organic carbon stocks (% annual change), soil respiration (%), N₂O emission (%), yield-scaled N₂O emission (%), CH₄ emission from rice paddies (%), yield-scaled CH₄ emission (%), total greenhouse gas balance (Tg CO₂-eq year⁻¹), additional grain production (Mg year⁻¹)
Outcomes reported
This meta-analysis of 1570 observations from 121 field studies assessed the effects of liming on soil greenhouse gas fluxes and plant productivity across acidic agricultural soils globally. Key outcomes included crop yield increases, soil organic carbon stock changes, and reductions in nitrous oxide and methane emissions from limed soils.
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